Fast read that I picked up because it's set on Whidbey Island. There were elements of magical realism/mythology, which were interesting but I didn't hFast read that I picked up because it's set on Whidbey Island. There were elements of magical realism/mythology, which were interesting but I didn't have a strong sense of why they were important. The main plot was a mystery. I'm not sure if it was the short timeframe of action, but I didn't feel like I got to know the main characters very well. It felt like this was a modern retelling of a myth, but not being familiar with the original myth a lot went over my head. ...more

Wicked!Marguerite was an interesting development, allowing for some good character insights. But I spent a lot of this book wondering why anyone possiWicked!Marguerite was an interesting development, allowing for some good character insights. But I spent a lot of this book wondering why anyone possibly thought Firebirds could be a good idea. The ethical scariness was off the charts in this book especially....more

I can quibble with the sci-fi premise ((view spoiler)[if there were infinite multiverses formed by different events, it seems unlikely that there woulI can quibble with the sci-fi premise ((view spoiler)[if there were infinite multiverses formed by different events, it seems unlikely that there would be many with different versions of the same person just because the same parents had children in each -- wouldn't the DNA have combined in infinitely different ways? (hide spoiler)]), but with a willing suspension of disbelief these books are interesting and filled with Claudia Gray's signature character-rich plots. The multi-verse concept is a creative way to get at the main characters' understanding of themselves and the people in their lives. (view spoiler)[I also liked how this book called back to the Russia-verse plot, which in the first book seemed like a super long, random detour. It seemed less pointless here, and I was glad the book started to deal with the ramifications of Marguerite's decisions while inhabiting her counterparts. I wasn't as keen on the Quest-for-Paul's-splinter-pieces plot, which felt a little contrived, though it did allow for some interesting exploration of Paul's character and Marguerite's understanding of her own impressions. (hide spoiler)]...more

This book has won a bunch of awards and I'm adding my voice to the gushing chorus here. This was an ambitious project, handled and written well. MostThis book has won a bunch of awards and I'm adding my voice to the gushing chorus here. This was an ambitious project, handled and written well. Most importantly for me for any book I like this much, I loved spending time with Starr and her family. I'm excited this book is being made into a movie and will hopefully be able to reach an even wider audience. ...more

**spoiler alert** Going in, I didn't think I'd like this book as much as the other Queen's Thief books because it was set in Mede with a Mede main cha**spoiler alert** Going in, I didn't think I'd like this book as much as the other Queen's Thief books because it was set in Mede with a Mede main character. Who cares about the Medes, I wanted more of the kingdoms and characters of Eddis, Attolia, and Sounis! Well, now thanks to this book I do care about the Medes, and particularly Kamet. I continue to be amazed at Megan Whalen Turner's ability to create such complex, well-drawn characters. Kamet totally drew me in. And I already liked Costis thanks to The King of Attolia.

The plot here also didn't seem initially like it would keep my attention -- a long road trip/escape plotline -- but it did! Further support for my growing suspicion that I will read anything this author writes. She takes a long time in between books, but the final products are fully cooked and very deliberate. Each word and phrase that makes it into the published book is carefully mulled over and just right.

I re-read the entire series before this book, and these are the types of books that do reward re-reads. I will need to re-read this one again, too, and find things that I missed. ...more

I have only vague familiarity (and interest) in Alice in Wonderland, so a lot of the details and world building in this book didn't resonate much withI have only vague familiarity (and interest) in Alice in Wonderland, so a lot of the details and world building in this book didn't resonate much with me. I did like certain plot elements (view spoiler)[(particularly the reveal of the purpose of Jest's mission in Hearts) (hide spoiler)] and the tension of trying to guess what Catherine would do about the king. Overall though there weren't any characters I especially wanted to spend more time with and I was happy to leave the kingdom of Hearts behind....more

It took a while for me to get into this book, but I ended up loving it. The characters all felt believable and flawed and I loved that that was part oIt took a while for me to get into this book, but I ended up loving it. The characters all felt believable and flawed and I loved that that was part of their dynamism. ...more

I liked the unique setting (a mishmash of Middle Eastern influences, inspired by 1001 Arabian Nights) and world-building, but wasn't as interested inI liked the unique setting (a mishmash of Middle Eastern influences, inspired by 1001 Arabian Nights) and world-building, but wasn't as interested in the non-Shahrzad parts involving Tariq or her father. I generally liked Shahrzad's character, although (view spoiler)[I struggled with her feeling attracted to Khalid. He'd murdered all those other wives, including her friend! She was there solely to seek revenge. I don't understand how she could develop feelings under those circumstances. I also got annoyed at the Bluebeard-esque plot complication where a character hides something and the only forward plot motion is finding out what the big secret is. It isn't quite enough to sustain me. But I was definitely grateful that there wasn't a lot of unnecessary drama after the revelation, along the lines of Khalid doubting Shahrzad's feelings. (hide spoiler)]...more

I love these characters and this universe. I did not love the pacing or plot of this book. (view spoiler)[It was hard to even say what the plot was...I love these characters and this universe. I did not love the pacing or plot of this book. (view spoiler)[It was hard to even say what the plot was... Events just kind of meandered along, especially in the beginning. I couldn't feel the forward motion and would stop reading. Things eventually picked up and the stakes got higher, but it still felt like there were plot stands that weren't fully developed. Everything about the criminal bad guys, for example, seemed like it was happening on a mostly parallel track that didn't involve the main characters much. It felt like an element tacked on to make the conflict/threat more than just the paranormal elements. I wasn't quite sure what to make of Henry Cheng, either. I thought maybe he was going to be a bad guy and relate to the bad guy plot elements a little more, but he just kind of hung around and helped out with his RoboBee. He didn't seem essential to either the bad guy or the paranormal plots. The Glendower thing was also a bit of a disappointment to me; I'd been hoping for a paranormal development that would relate more closely to Cabeswater and the conflict with the demon. (hide spoiler)]...more

2.5 stars. There were a few stories I really enjoyed and was impressed by. Others, not so much. I like historical fiction best when you're fully withi2.5 stars. There were a few stories I really enjoyed and was impressed by. Others, not so much. I like historical fiction best when you're fully within that other world and the characters feel real, but too many of these felt like plunking characters with modern sensibilities down into a high school history class. I needed more and better historical specificity to sell the stories. ...more

These stories walk the line between "extraneous material that was judiciously not included in the full books" and "illuminating background insights inThese stories walk the line between "extraneous material that was judiciously not included in the full books" and "illuminating background insights into the characters." Ultimately, I'm glad I read these stories and I'm happy Marissa Meyer is going to continue the series in graphic novels about Iko. ...more

I'm not sure exactly what it is, but I love Megan Morrison's writing style. I suspect it's a mix of how good she is with including telling details inI'm not sure exactly what it is, but I love Megan Morrison's writing style. I suspect it's a mix of how good she is with including telling details in her descriptions, mixed with well-constructed scenes that move the story along well. I also adore her characterizations, especially the complexity she can convey through conflicts amongst the characters. This was an inventive take on the Cinderella fairy tale, but really taking on larger issues like income inequality, classism, and greed through the backdrop of a fairly useless monarchy and powerful elites who control the main industry of the kingdom, garment-making.

Some standout elements for me:-Sharlyn as the stepmother (nuanced characterization and (view spoiler)[it was a relief that she wasn't just wicked/evil. I appreciated that Ella being upset with her father eventually came out more directly. (hide spoiler)]-Prince Dash as the most inarticulate royal ever-How the fairy godmother/father fairy dust is generated by compassion and empathy-How the fairy godmother/father could be either male or female

I did get a little frustrated with the quick-switch POV changes in some scenes -- I read this book on kindle and to me the switches always looked like a new chapter so I'd be like, "wait why is there a new chapter starting when we're in the middle of the action?" but then I'd realize it was just a POV switch, only the switch was just for a few paragraphs and then we were back to the other character but still in the same scene, possibly with a few more switches. The switching pulled me out of the scenes a little too much, and for my experience at least probably wasn't worth whatever insights I gained from the other character POVs. I also thought some of the plot pacing felt off around when (view spoiler)[Dash gets betrothed to Lavaliere and when the Jacquard fire happened. The Jacquard fire stood out as the least organic plot development -- it was a little much that Ella and Dash both randomly decided on the same day at the same time to go visit the factory and that that's also when the fire started. (hide spoiler)]

3.5 stars. I like this author a lot and how skilled she is at characterizations and depicting so many aspects of Hawaii. I also really liked this book3.5 stars. I like this author a lot and how skilled she is at characterizations and depicting so many aspects of Hawaii. I also really liked this book's focus on female friendship and family relationships. I wasn't crazy about the Will storyline because I couldn't see why Lea would be interested in him -- she seemed smarter and more self-aware than that. It also seemed like a bit of a stretch why Lea's mother would agree to live in the West's guest house given all the backstory, though I did like how that led to observations about the grownup friendship patterns, too. ...more

I liked the focus on and portrayal of friendships, including how friendships that can seem awesome can be unhealthy in subtle ways. I'm a little wearyI liked the focus on and portrayal of friendships, including how friendships that can seem awesome can be unhealthy in subtle ways. I'm a little weary of the trope where a YA character's growth is due to finally coming to terms with some aspect of recovering from the trauma of losing a parent. Overall I was left with a sense of being more intellectually satisfied with how the characters were portrayed than emotionally invested in them as individuals, maybe because they didn't feel quite real enough to me and I'm not sure why... The focus seemed to be on this friendship group, but only through the POV of one character so despite the importance of the other members of the group to the dynamics they didn't feel fully fleshed out enough. Palmer and her boyfriend especially seemed pretty cardboard. I was also a little annoyed that every single main character had a quirky/unique/unisex name. Common and popular names DO exist in the world, why not in this book? ...more

I ended up loving this story, though the beginning didn't hook me. The tone was very mopey and slow, and I get that we wereGreat audiobook narrator!

I ended up loving this story, though the beginning didn't hook me. The tone was very mopey and slow, and I get that we were getting a lot of exposition but it dragged and it's kind of hard to have that much exposition without much forward plot action.

I was also worried the book would feel too derivative, given its origins as a fake fanfiction story within another story and obvious Harry Potter inspiration. But there were so many original ideas in here, I ended up being fascinated with the universe Rainbow Rowell created in the World of Mages, particularly her conception of magic. I really liked the Baz and Penelope characters, too. ...more

Good book and I really like the author's style. I liked that she was able to make a paranormal story about ghosts have high stakes and that the world-Good book and I really like the author's style. I liked that she was able to make a paranormal story about ghosts have high stakes and that the world-building was strong enough for the premise to seem plausible. I'd have rated this higher but I just can't make myself get invested enough in ghost/paranormal stories as a genre. ...more

I love the concept of this book: focusing on the background kids going about their lives while supernatural shenanigans happen all around them. (BasicI love the concept of this book: focusing on the background kids going about their lives while supernatural shenanigans happen all around them. (Basically, the kids who would have been Buffy's classmates.) There were lovely portrayals of teens, friendships, and families, and I give the book bonus points for being set in Washington. This book didn't resonate as strongly with me as some of Patrick Ness's other books -- I think it probably suffered from the plot not being compelling enough (there wasn't a lot of forward momentum, just the characters prepping for the end of high school) -- but there were some great moments. I liked the summaries at the beginning of each chapter about what the Buffy-ish characters were up to; there was a lot of humor in those little snippets....more